In 2015 flight attendants on El Al, Israel’s national carrier, asked Renee Rabinowitz, an 81-year-old holocaust survivor, to move seats after she boarded her flight in New Jersey. An ultra-orthodox Jewish male passenger had objected to having to sit next to her. Haredim, it was explained, are forbidden from close contact with females who are not relatives.

.. At the time, Ms Rabinowitz told the Guardian that she was flying from Newark to Tel Aviv in business class, when a “Haredi-looking gentleman came and sat down next to me”.

.. I asked him what his problem was and I said I was 81. He started to tell me about how the Torah prohibits it.I was pretty upset but I also didn’t want to sit next to this man who didn’t want me to be there for 11 hours. The thought was not pleasant so I decided to move of my own accord.

I asked him what his problem was and I said I was 81. He started to tell me about how the Torah prohibits it.

I was pretty upset but I also didn’t want to sit next to this man who didn’t want me to be there for 11 hours. The thought was not pleasant so I decided to move of my own accord.

.. Following the incident, Ms Rabinowitz sued the carrier for discrimination. On June 22nda court found in her favour, confirming that the practice of asking women to move seats on religious grounds is illegal.